Adjustable block gauge



March 6, 1951 l. TORNANSKY ADJUSTABLE BLOCK GAUGE Filed Aug. 28, 1945 a mm 8 a zm mm 2 a [a 2 7 240, 6. a 2 L7 2] fl v A fix U l w 5 m M My. 2 4 4. 20 :7 3 7 4 W 1 2 M W a .u

Patented Mar. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE BLOCK GAUGE Irving Tornansky, Hartford, Conn. Application August 28, 1945, Serial No. 613,051

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to precision gauges and more particularly to those of the type commonly known as block gauges, an object being to improve generally upon this particular type of gauge and to provide especially for certain practical adjustments of the same and provide for a substantial universal use of the same in precision work.

Another object of the invention is to produce an adjustable size block gauge which may be used as a standard height gauge in certain kinds of work and which also may be used in a manner similar to the ordinary types of go and not go snap gauges, fixed size-block and planer gauges, and gauges of similar character.

Still other objects and advantages to be attained will hereinafter more fully appear in the following description.

An illustrative but non-limiting exemplification of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section and with portions broken away and removed to foreshorten the view, the same being illustrative of the adjustment and operation of the device;

Figure 2 is an elevational view taken at right angles to the showing in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on or about the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but looking at the opposite side of the device;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of one of the block elements;

Figure 6 is an end view of the block shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the same;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the bar elements for carrying an indicator or scriber arm thereon; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the indicator or scriber arms.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the numeral I0 designates a lower gauge block of an accurate rectangular form and of a definite size. This block may be of any approved or desired rectangular shape but, as shown, it is elongated or of an oblong form.

Movable toward and from said lower block- Ill is a similar block II. The block II, as shown, is movably mounted upon the block It by theprovision of four upright bars or prong elements I2 which are secured at their lower end portions rigidly to the opposite side portions of the lower block I0. As shown, these bars or prong elements I2 have their opposite longitudinal edge portions beveled, as at I3, (see Figure 3) and the lower end portions of the bars or prongs are fitted in counterpart undercut pockets I l provided therefor in the adjacent side portions of the block It with a dovetailed fitting. The corresponding side portions of the upper block II are provided with undercut transverse slots I5 in which the upper portions of the bars or prongs I2 are slidably fitted. In the region where the bars or prongs l2 are slidably fitted to the block II said bars are provided with longitudinal slots I6 therein and screws H are provided so as to enter the slots I6 in the bars or prongs I2 and be inserted in screw threaded apertures provided therefor in the block I I. By this provision the block II may be adjusted to different positions lengthwise of the bars or prongs I2 and releasably fastened in such positions. The members I2 are detachably but rigidly fastened at their lower ends to the lower block II) by screw elements I8.

In accordance with the invention, suitable means is provided for effecting the movement and adjustment of the upper block II with relation to the lower block 10, a practical exemplification of which is illustrated in the drawings.

As shown, the means for movement and adjustment of the block II involves a micrometer provision and arrangement. The illustrated provision and arrangement comprises an angular bracket designated generally by the reference numeral I9, the same comprising an upright base portion 20 which is secured rigidly at its lower end to one end portion of the lower block I0. As shown, the lower end portion of the upright member 20 is widened and bifurcated or branched to provide two separate leg portions which are respectively secured to the adjacent end portion of the block Ill by screw elements 22. Obviously, this attachment of the parts II) and 20 ma be accomplished in any other desirable or approved manner and also the part 20 may be formed integrally with the block II).

The standard or post [9 is formed with a horizontal arm 23 having a flat circular end portion 24 provided with a relatively large central opening therethrough. As shown, this opening is screw threaded to receive the correspondingly threaded reduced portion of a bushing 25 having a collar or circular head 26 at the outer end thereof which is externally screw threaded peripherally thereof. In some cases, instead of providing the bushing 25 the central hole in the circular end portion 24 of the arm 23 may be a plain bore without any internal screw threading and in place of the collar or head 26 of the bushing 25 the hole in the arm 23 may be surrounded by an upstanding annular collar or shoulder portion formed integrally with the arm 23 and provided with external screw threads peripherally thereof.

Screwed onto the screw threaded peripheral portion of the collar 26 of the bushing 25 or the integral collar or annular shoulder portion of the arm 23 if the same be provided as just above described is the cylindrical barrel member 2": of a micrometer provision, which latter, except for such modification thereof as is necessary in accordance with the present invention, is, conventional, that is to say, this barrel member 21 is provided on its outer face with a longitudinal scale 28, and on the barrel member 21 is sleeved a thimble element 29 which is rotatable and movable lengthwise thereon, said thimble element having the usual tapered end portion 30 and around the sharpened edge portion of which is inscribed an annular scale 3|.

As in the usual micrometer structure, there is provided an elongated axial stem or spindle element 32 which is attached at its outer end in a conventional manner to the closed end portion of the thimble 29 so as to rotate and move endwise by and therewith. The barrel member 2'! and thimble element 29 are each of a length to permit considerable longitudinal movement of the one relative to the other, in the usual manner, and the stem or spindle element 32 is of a length to extend a substantial distance beyond the inner end of the thimble element 29-. The thimble element 29 is provided at its outer end with a knurled annular head portion 33 by which said element 29 may be conveniently manipulated by the fingers of the operator.

In practice, the bushing 25 isusually tightened in the opening of the arm 23 of the standard or post IS) with the annular collar or shoulder portion 26 of the bushing in contact with the adjacent face portion of the arm 23. So, too, the barrel member 21 as screwed on the collar or head portion 26 of the bushing 25 has its inner end portion tightened against the adjacent face portion of the arm 23. However, for the purposes of adjustment, the bushing 25 may be turned to move the same a slight distance outwardly in the opening of the arm 23 and the barrel member 27 may also be turned on the collar or head 26 of the bushing 25 so as to adjust the member 27: longitudinally outward.

In the structure thus far described the barrel member 21 is normally stationary on the arm 23 of the upright or standard 19 and in the operation of the device the thimble element 29 and the attached axial stem or spindle element 32 are movable rotatably and longitudinaly together and in such movement the spindle element 32 has a swiveled attachment to the upper block H, in a manner to be presently more fully described, whereby said block H. is caused to move toward and away from the lower block H], depending on the direction of rotation of the thimble element 29 and the stem or spindle element 32.

Lengthwise movement is imparted to the stem or spindle element 32, in the illustrated structure, by having the lower end portion of the element 32 screw threaded throughout a substantial length thereof, as at 34, said screw threaded end portion 34 being fitted in a screw threaded bore 35 formed in a guide nut or upright block 36 which is mounted centrally on the lower block [0. This member 36 is made and formed for detachability 4 so that the same may be removed and replaced. As shown, the element 36 is provided with a reduced lower end portion which is externally screw threaded and fitted in a counterpart in-- ternally screw threaded recess 31 provided therefor in the central upper portion of the block Ii].-

As shown, the element 36 is provided at its upper end with an annular collar 38 which may be circular and peripherally knurled or otherwise roughened or formed ior the convenient grasping of the same to turn the element 36 into and out of place. 38 may be formed poiygonally and, in some cases, the collar or enlargement 36 may be eliminated and the entire body portion of the element 36 formed polygonally externally thereof. That is to say, these parts may be of hexagonal or octagonal form. This particular provision and arrangement is for the app-ication of a suitable wrench or tool for the turning of the element 36 into, and out of its seat 31 in the block Ill and for which purpose the element may be provided with an opening or openings in its side wall for the application of a spanner wrench or the like in the usual manner. 'ihese noted provisions and arrangements being obvious the same are not illustrated in detail in the drawings.

'i'he relative length of the bore 35 in the element 36. and the screw threaded end portion 34 of the stem, or spindle element 32 must, in any case, be ample to ariord the desired length of travel of the upper block ll. relative to the lower block W and both part 34 and bore 35 threaded in a thread size corresponding to the graduations shown on the thimble. and sleeve of the micrometer element so that the movement of the block II relative to the block It], will be readily and accurately shown in the micrometer element in the operation of the device for general gauging purposes.

AS a part of the'means for the swiveled attachment or the stem or spindle element 32 to the upper block II, in the particular illustration in the drawings, said element 32 is provided intermediate its ends with a collar 33 (see Figure 1) and said collar 39 maybe adjustable or not on the element 32 as desired. As shown, the portion of the element 32 just below the collar 39 is fitted rotatably in an axial bore in a cylindrical bearing element 46, which latter is fitted tightly against endwise movement but freely rotatable between said collar 39 and a second collar 6.! which is removably placed on the stem or spindle element 32 and held in place by a transverse pin 42 or other suitable securing means. The removability of the collar 4| is to facilitate assembling the part 40 on the element 32-.

The bearing and supporting element 43 is screw threaded externally throughout the entire length thereof and its lower end portion is fitted in a counterpart threaded upper-portion of a bore 43 provided centrally in the upper block H and coaxially with the bore in the horizontal arm 23 of the standard #9, the lower portion of said bore 43 being of a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter at the base or the threads in the upper portion of the bore so as to afford ample clearance peripherally of the collar 4| and also to permit the bearing and supporting element 46 to pass freely through the lower portion of said bore 43 in the assembly of the parts and in making certain adjustmentin the position of said member 40 in the upper block I In assembling-the'parts of the device thus far described, the upper block H is unfastened from So, too, the head or collar portion x the uprights or prong members l2 so that said block I l is freely movable vertically on said mem bers l2, or, if desired, or necessary, said block ll may be entirely removed from the members l2; The supporting and bearing element 40 when positioned swivelly on the stem or spindle element 32, between the collars 39 and 4| as just above described, the same may have its lower end portion screwed into the upper threaded portion of said bore 43 of the upper block ll. With the member it thus positioned, the stem or spindle element 32 is rotated by manipulation of the thirnble element 29 and the threaded lower end portion of said element 32 is thereby screwed into the axial socket 35 provided in the nut or guide element 35. A guide sleeve #4 having an internally screw threaded lower end portion is then fitted on the upstanding portion of, the bearing and supporting element above the block II. This sleeve member 44 is turned on the member l6 until its lower end is tight against the adjacent top face portion of said block I I. The sleeve element id so positioned and rigidly supported has its upper portion extended through a plain cylindrical bore 45 in the bushing 25 with the upper end of said sleeve 44 terminating some distance above the top of said bushing 25. By this provision and arrangement the sleeve member 44, supported rigidly as it is on the bearing and supporting member 4! is slidable longitudinally through the bore G5 in said bushing 25 with stable guiding efiect. Said element 44 has a spanner wrench hole or holes 45 therein. From the foregoing it will be seen that the upper block H is moved longitudinally of the uprights or prong ordinary outside micrometer.

side with longitudinal undercut grooves 48 which may be either of the dovetail cross section type as shown or, obviously, said grooves may be substantially T-shaped in cross section. On top of each block 4! is provided a medial longitudinal undercut rib 49 corresponding in cross section to the longitudinal groove 48 on the under side of the block but said ribs, as shown, may be of a length to terminate short of the opposite ends of the block, this for intermediate gauging with a dial indicator. That is to say, any one of the separable blocks may be slid out of the set-up of blocks (one-quarter inch or more) and the measurement thus indicated with a dial indicator and subsequently checked for accuracy with an These blocks 41, as above noted, are made in diiierent sizes as to thickness and, in some uses of the device, some of the blocks may be made' in greater length than the major number thereof which are generally used in building up a height gauge, that is to say, certain of the blocks which are used as the base blocks for the height gauge. The interfitting of the longitudinal grooves 48 and ribs 49 of the blocks facilitate the ready assembly of the blocks in the built-up structure and the frictional enmembers I2 toward and from the lower block [9 4 by rotation of the stem or spindle element 3?. through the medium of its attached thimble element 29, according to the direction of rotation of said thimble element. At the same time the calibrated scales 28 and SI on the micrometer members 27 and 29 indicate accurately the distance apart the blocks Ill and II are placed relative to each other, or, in other words, the dimension between the scriber arm 5|] provided on the under side of said block In and the top of said block I I, or under side of arm 50 attached thereto.

When using the device for go and not go type of snap-gauge, all four arms 50 are attached to the blocks, with the set nearer the upright or bracket I9 and at right angles to the blocks and with a small piece of .003" or .004" thickness of shim-stock placed between the upper arm and block H so as to allow for a slight high limit of tolerance on the go side.

50 much for the adjustable part of the device as thus far described.

The device further comprises a plurality of separate and separable building blocks of various sizes, particularly as to height, that is to say, for example, the respective blocks may be made in standard sizes of one-half inch, one inch and two inch thicknesses and so on up to a maximum size and obviously, in various other fractional sizes as to thickness of the blocks. In use, these blocks are piled one upon the other to build up a height gauge of a, definite size and for use in the usual manner as with height gauges except that, on top of the uppermost separate and separable block is placed the aforesaid assembly of the base block In and adjustable upper block I I.

To facilitate the assembly of the blocks in building up the height gauge, said blocks, designated generally by the reference numeral 4"! (see Figures 5, 6 and '7), are provided on their under gagement holds the blocks in place when assembled. I

Laterally projected caliper indicator or soriber arms 53 may be provided on the assembly of the device as indicated in Figures 1, 2 and i. These arms, as shown, are of a generally rectangular form but have their outer ends pointed or rounded and tapered. In the illustration the ends are pointed, as at 5!. They are apertured near their inner ends, as at 52, for the reception of securing screws 53 by which they are attached to the blocks Ill and H. In their attachment to the upper blocks ll said arms 5% are fastened to the top faces thereof. As to the lower blocks iii a different means of attachment is provided for the arms 56. In this instance removable filler bars 5 1 having beveled opposite side edges 55 are provided for insertion in the groove formed in the bottom of the block l0 similar to the aforesaid grooves 48 in the several other blocks 6?.

The filler bar 54 is provided near its opposite ends with apertures 55 which are internally screw threaded to receive the securing screws 53 of the arms 50.

In the assembly illustrated in Figure 1 there is a pair of said arms 59 projected medially from the opposed ends of the blocks Ill and H, said arms 50 thus constituting caliper indicator projections which are moved towards and from each other by manipulation of the micrometer portion of the device. In addition to the pair of arms projected from the opposed ends of the blocks It and H another pair of said arms may be pro jected laterally from said blocks l8 and H and the arms being located near the ends or opposite to those from which the aforesaid pair of arms project.

When the device is assembled as a height gauge wherein a standard is built up from a multiplicity of the aforesaid blocks 41 the caliper indicator or scriber arms 50 may be eliminated from the lower block H] of the adjustable upper micrometer assembly. So, too, in this connection, it is here noted that the filler bars 54 are placeable in the longitudinal slots 48 of any of the several blocks 41, in which case, of course, the respective arms 50 may be applied to the filler bar 54,

The device of the present invention is capable was of adjustment and variation in .assembly to readily adapt the same for substantially univer; sal use in the measurement .of different classes of work and the illustration in the drawings is but one exemplification of a practical adaptation of the invention. Thestructure admits of considerable modification within the purview of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The invention, therefore, is not limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown.

Having thus described the invention, what ,is claimed is:

1. An adjustable gauge block comprising a first block, a bracket positioned transversely of said block adjacent one end thereof and having one end fixedly secured to said block, an internally threaded guide nut having one end open superimposed on said block intermediate its ends and fixedly secured thereto, a scriber arm projecting from the other end of said block, a hollow sleeve positioned in alignment with and spaced from said guide nut extending through the other end of said bracket and fixedly secured toisaid other end of said bracket, a second block positioned in parallel spaced relation with respect to said first named block surrounding one end of said sleeve and mounted on said first named block for move ment toward and away .from the latter, a ,second scriber arm projecting from the end of .said second block adjacent to said other end of said first named block, a spindle element rotatably supported within .said sleeve and having one end extending into and in threaded engagement with the threaded open end of said guide nut and having the other end projectingout of and terminating ata point beyond the-otherend of said sleeve, and a bearing element carried by said spindle element and in threaded engagement with said second block for securing said spindle element in position in saidsecond block, and hand actuable means on the projecting end of said Spindle element for effecting rotation of the latter.

2. An adjustablegauge block comprising ail'irst block, a bracket positioned transversely of said block adjacent one end thereof and having one end fixedly secured to said blDCk, an internally threaded guide nut having one end open :superimposed on said block intermediateits ends and fixedly secured thereto, a scriber aim Projecting from the other end of said block, a hollow .sleeve positioned in alignment with and paced from saidiguide nut extending through theother end of said -bracket andfixedly secured to said other end of said bracket, .a plura'li't y of prong elements positioned transversely of and on said firstnamed blockand having one end fixedly secured thereto, each of said prong elements adjacent their other end having elongated slots therein, a second block positioned in parallel spaced relation with respect to said first named block surrounding one end of said sleeve and mounted on said prong elements for movement toward and away from said first named block, means exl findm through each of said slots in the prone elements and engageable with said second named block for securing said second block in selected position on said prong elements, a second scriber arm projecting from the other end of said second block adjacent to said other end of said first named block, a spindle element rotatably supported within said sleeve and having one end extending into and in threaded engagement with the threaded open end of said guide nut and having the other end projecting out of and terminating at a point beyond the other end of said sleeve, .and a bearing element carried by said spindle element and in threaded engagement with said second block for securing said spindle elementin position in said second block, and hand actuable means on the projecting end of said spindle element for effecting rotation of the latter.

IRVING TORNANSKY.

'REFERENCES CITED iI-he following references are of record in the file of this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 761,381 Hjorth May 31, 1904 949,276 ,Johansson Feb. 15, v1910 1,265,431 Costello May 7, 1918 1,363,250 Hanson 'Dec. 28, 1920 1,397,189 Westerberg 'Nov. 15, 1921 2,357,898 Kellan Sept. 12, .1944 

